Californication

Sex, drugs and writing. Not much more is needed to sum up Californication, but somehow it is so much more than that.

I had heard about this show’s first season in passing, but no one had mentioned that it was something I should check out. For a long time, I hadn’t even bothered to find out what the premise was about. However, upon watching the first season, almost in a one-day marathon, I couldn’t believe what was happening. Why had no one told me what a gem this show was?

Californication (created by Tom Kapinos) follows the life of Hank Moody, played by David Duchovny. I was never an X-Files fan and hadn’t caught his much-talked-about House of D, so I was shocked to see how pathetic, funny, and incredible he made this character. It’s perfectly clear why he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal last year. Hank Moody is a once-acclaimed writer who, in the first season, is dealing with a bout of writer’s block, which he pairs perfectly with his drug and sex addictions. All the while, he is trying to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, whom he has a daughter with. He’s completely a mess and completely normal all at the same time.

Hank is not lacking in adventures throughout the first season. He finds himself sleeping with the 16-year-old daughter of his ex-girlfriend’s fiancé, is robbed by a surfer girl after a one-night stand, and somehow ends up in an odd threesome with his best friend. While all this sounds pretty bad, especially when he is trying to forge a real relationship with the love of his life, I, for one, caught myself cooing, “I totally want to marry someone like him,” during certain scenes. No, I never thought I would want to marry a sex and drug addict who is pretty much drinking in every scene, but there is something so redeeming about it when he is pining away after his ex. Something about the character makes you know that, while he will screw everything up, he’d honestly love you.

The fact that this show can make this man — who says exactly what he thinks, which more often than not aren’t the nicest of things – have any sort of redeeming qualities is simply good writing and acting. With the help of the relationship with his daughter, who he would do anything for — despite showing up late to pick her up because of a one-night stand -– and through his ex-girlfriend, who he almost always seems to have his mind on, we see that something in him is good. We’ve been given a peek into what matters to him — not the sex, drugs, and alcohol, and we know that there’s more than meets the eye.

Last season, we were left with a happily-ever-after scenario. Hank’s ex, Karen (Natascha McElhone), finally gave in and left her wedding party, running away in Hank’s car with their daughter Becca (Madeleine Martin). But now, in Season 2, we are left with the lingering question from Season 1: is happily ever after possible? Or are we all just waiting for someone to screw it up?

The first four episodes of Season 2 completely explore this thought and put Hank through many trials and tribulations in trying to make it work. Plus, we get some of our favorite guest stars back, like Trixie the sweetheart hooker, played perfectly by Judy Greer, is returning and lovely as ever. With her help, we continue to see into Hank and his loving and somewhat nurturing side. Sonja (Paula Marshall), who was last seen vomiting on Karen’s bed while having sex with Hank, returns as quite a different woman and brings her new boyfriend Julian (Angus MacFayden) along, who is bound to get under everyone’s skin. While Hank tries to revive his career this season and keep his family happy, he’ll also be holding together his friends, Marcy (Pamela Adlon) and Charlie (Evan Handler), who are in for a lot, as Charlie’s affair with his assistant Dani (Rachel Miner) finally explodes.

It seems everyone will be waiting for Hank to ruin his happily-ever-after, because no one, other than Hank, believes that he can actually hold his life together. It looks like he’s going to have a lot on his plate and this time, it’s all close to home.

Season Premiere Sunday, September 28th at 10:00pm ET/PT on Showtime